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Article: Design, Craft, and Italian Elegance: A Visit to Pinetti

Design, Craft, and Italian Elegance: A Visit to Pinetti

Design, Craft, and Italian Elegance: A Visit to Pinetti

When people ask me what sets Pinetti apart, I often return to a quiet September afternoon in 2013. I was standing on a terrace in Bergamo’s old upper town, Città Alta, after touring their manufacturing facility in nearby Brusaporto. From our table at lunch, we looked out over the rolling Lombardy landscape, a soft mosaic of fields and villages, framed by the faint outline of the Alps. And I thought to myself: this view, this balance of nature and culture, is what Pinetti captures in its work.

At Laywine’s, we’ve been stockists of Pinetti leather accessories for over two decades. But nothing compares to seeing the care behind the scenes—the combination of traditional craftsmanship and technologically advanced production that defines this remarkable brand.

Founded in 1983 in Bergamo, Italy, Pinetti began when Alberto and Ezia Pinetti, both trained architects, started designing leather accessories for their own home. What began as a personal project quickly evolved into a full-fledged business, rooted in architectural precision and a deep love of materials. Today, two of their three sons, also architects, have joined the company, continuing this family-owned Italian tradition of functional design and refined execution.

Italian Design with Purpose

What makes Pinetti stand out in the world of luxury Italian desk accessories is their dedication to form and function. Every item—whether it’s a handmade leather journal, a refillable notepad holder, or a minimalist pen tray—is designed to be both elegant and useful. This is not design for design’s sake; this is design in service of everyday life.

Much of their current production focuses on home accessories (think leather serving trays, bathroom sets, and kitchen storage) but it’s their office accessories made in Italy that continue to capture our attention at Laywine’s. Each piece reflects the same values: clean lines, durability, and thoughtful detail. These are objects that improve your workspace without shouting for attention.

We currently carry a curated range of their office essentials:

All crafted from premium Italian leather, these pieces age beautifully and are made to last. Whether placed on a modern executive desk or a well-loved writing table, they blend seamlessly into the environment, elevating your workspace with quiet sophistication.

A Marriage of Handcraft and Innovation

During our tour of the Pinetti facility, I was struck by how seamlessly they integrate handcraft and machinery. Skilled artisans work alongside precision tools; each product passes through many hands before it’s deemed complete. Stitching, cutting, embossing, all done with care and purpose. This blend of traditional skills with modern efficiency is what allows Pinetti to maintain exceptional quality at scale.

It’s rare to find a brand that manages to feel both artisanal and professional, but Pinetti accomplishes just that. Every product bears the imprint of thoughtful design and meticulous Italian craftsmanship.

Why We Stock Pinetti at Laywine’s

As a store devoted to the art of writing and the tools that support it, Laywine’s is proud to stock brands that share our values: integrity, quality, and timeless appeal. Pinetti exemplifies these ideals. Their products are:

  • Made in Italy by a family-owned business
  • Designed by architects with a focus on usability
  • Crafted from elegant, durable leathers
  • Suited for professional and personal environments

These are not just desk accessories—they’re investments in a better, more intentional workspace.

Bringing Bergamo to Your Desk

That lunch at the top of Città Alta, following the factory tour, remains vivid in my memory. The wine was local, the food rich but restrained, the conversation as fluid as the lines in a Pinetti notebook. And the view—gentle hills, ancient stone walls, the outline of what had come before—offered a kind of perspective that is hard to come by.

To me, Pinetti brings a little of that world to every product: the elegance of Italian design, the warmth of a family tradition, the precision of architectural thinking, and the soul of handcraft.

Whether you’re reorganizing your workspace, gifting a refillable journal, or looking to invest in handcrafted leather goods that truly last, Pinetti is a name worth remembering.

You don’t have to travel to Bergamo to experience it—we’re proud to bring a piece of it to Toronto.

Explore Pinetti at Laywine’sShop Italian leather journals and desk accessories →

1 comment

Thank you Peter for sharing your experience .
Reading about it brought me right there. Beauty! What a balm

Teya Flaster

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